U.S. Senators Dave McCormick and John Fetterman announced on Mar. 28 that the U.S. Department of Transportation will provide $600 million to the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission through the fiscal year 2025 Bridge Investment Program. The funding will support the PA Turnpike/I-95 Interchange Program by replacing the Delaware River Bridge, which connects Bucks County, Pennsylvania to Burlington County, New Jersey.
The bridge is a vital part of both local and national transportation networks, carrying more than 67,000 vehicles each day with truck traffic making up about 16 percent of that volume. With current demand outpacing its four-lane design, officials say this project aims to address safety concerns and accommodate future growth along one of the country’s busiest highway corridors.
“This $600 million investment is one of the most consequential infrastructure commitments in Pennsylvania’s history, and we are proud to have fought to secure this funding by writing directly to Transportation Secretary Duffy to make the case for why the Delaware River Bridge deserves federal investment,” said Senators Dave McCormick and John Fetterman. “The Delaware River Bridge is not just a Pennsylvania asset; it is a backbone of our national freight and passenger transportation network. This funding will make it safer and more resilient for the commuters, families, and businesses that depend on it every single day.”
The new bridge will be widened to match nearby roadways in order to handle projected long-term traffic increases while also addressing infrastructure risks such as flooding. The project also aims to improve travel reliability for drivers who use this critical crossing daily.
McCormick has experience serving as a captain in the 82nd Airborne Division during deployments in the First Gulf War according to his official website. He grew up in Bloomsburg as the son of educators according to his official website and earned academic credentials from Princeton University as well as West Point according to his official website. His background includes roles as CEO at FreeMarkets and Bridgewater Associates plus government positions such as under secretary of Treasury according to his official website. McCormick focuses on issues like energy innovation, border security, cost reduction, national defense, crime prevention, competition with global rivals, government reform and community enhancement according to his official website.
Looking ahead, supporters say this major investment could set an example for other aging infrastructure projects nationwide while strengthening economic connections across state lines.
